mcnair



'N. 6I3,387. Patented Nnv. I, |898. R. H. &. W. A. McNAIB.

FOLDING BASKET.

(Application led Feb. 23, 1898.)

(N0 Model.)

2 .Sheets-Sheet I.

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un. 613,387. Patented Nov. l, |893. n. H. & w. A. McNAm.

.FOLDING BASKET.

(Apphcahon led Feb. 23, 1898.)

(No Model.)-

2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

UNITED Srarns "ArnNr Fries.

ROBERT HANES MCNAIR AND WILLIAM ALEXANDER MONAIR, OF ELSAH, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNORS OF ONE-THIRD TO CHARLES FERDINAND ABRELL,

OF SAME PLACE.

BASKET.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 613,887', dated November 1, 1898.

Application filed February 2 3, l 8 9 8.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that We, ROBERT HANES MC- NAIR and WILLIAM ALEXANDER MONAIR, citizens of the United States, residing at El-A sah, Jersey county, and State of Illinois, have invented an Improve/inentin Folding Baskets, of which the following is a specification.

Our invention relates to folding baskets; and it consists of the novel features herein shown, described, and claimed.

Figure 1 is a perspective of the basket, thev parts being spread out for use. Fig. 2 is an end elevation, the tank which serves as a cover being shown in dotted lines. Fig. 3 is a detail, partly in section, showing the construction of the handle. Fig. 4 is a crosssection on the line 4 4 of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a detail ot' the links, shown encircled by the coil-spring in Fig. 3, parts bein g broken away. Fig. 6 is a vertical longitudinal section of the tank and showing the folded basket incased therein. Fig. 7 is a vertical longitudinal section on the lines 7 7 of Figs. 2 and 8. Fig. 8 is a vertical cross-section on the lines 8 8 of Fig. 7. Fig. 9 is a horizontal section on the lines 9 9 of Figs. 2 and 7, with the parts in their folded positions. Fig. 1() is a detail perspective of one of the hinged corners.

The folding portion 1 of the basket is boxshaped, and the arms 2 extend upwardly from the extreme bottom to points the same distance above said portion 1,in transverse alinement with each other. The arms 2 are each formed of a sheet of metal having its side edges rolled inwardly to produce the tubes 2. The wires 2"are.inserted downwardly into said tubes and serve to stiften the arms and also serve as hinge-pins. The plates 2"' are placed against the inner faces and upper ends of the arms 2, and the vertical flanges 4 project inwardly from said plates, there being three apertures through each of said flanges. The plates are held in position by the edges of the sheets forming the arms, as shown in Fig. 4.

The links 5 and 6 connect the iianges 4, said links being constructed as shown in Fig. 5. The link 5 consists of the hook 4, which engages in the central aperture of one of the anges 4, and the loop 5', which is elongated.

Serial No. 671,270. iNo model.)

The link 6 consists of the hook 6', which engages in the central one of the apertures in the` opposite iiange, and the elongated loop 6", which is considerably longer than the loop 5. The links forma sliding connection between the upper ends of the arms 2 to the extent of the length of the loop 5'. The coilspring 3 encircles the links, and its ends are screwed into the upper and lower apertures in the iianges 4, as indicated by 4', the tension of said spring being exerted to draw the arms toward each other.

The tank 7 is a rectangular box closed at one end by the cap 8. The cork or rubber plug 9 is attached to the inner face of the top piece of the cap and enters the mouth of the tank as required to make the tank water-tight.

The folding portion 1 of the basket consists of the side plates 10 and the end plates 11, hinged together at 12, said side plates being also hinged to the arms 2 at 13, there being one of said side plates upon each side of each of said arms, and the wires 2" serve as the pins of the hinges 13. The bottom plates 14 are connected by the hinge 15, and the hingepin 16 passes through the arms 2, thus holding the bottom plates together and in position. The outer ends of the bottom plates swing upwardly. The lower edges of the end plates are turned inwardly to form the iianges 17, which support the outer ends of the bottom plates. The bottom plates fit between the lower edges of the side plates.

When it is desired to fold the basket, the bottom plates are swung upwardly to avertical position. Then one of the side plates is swung inwardly against one of the bottom plates. Then the diagonally opposite side plate is swung inwardly against the opposite bottom plate, and then the end plates are folded against the side plates, as shown in Fig. 9. Then the folding portion is inserted into the tank, as shown in Fig. 6.

When the basket is unfolded for use, the tank serves as a cover for the folding portion and also serves as a receptacle for coffee, water, and the like. ,'When the tank is placed in position between the arms, said arms are spread apart to the limit of the links, and the tank fits tightly between said arms. When the tankris removed, the arms are drawn to- IOO ward each other by the spring and will readily pass inside of the tank.

The basket may be constructed of sheet metal, wood, paper, screen, or other suitable material. The coil-spring serves as a handle.

le claim- 1. In a folding basket, arms placed in parallel positions, a rigid connection between the lower ends of said arms, a yielding connection between the upper ends of said arms, side plates hinged to opposite sides of each of said arms, end plates forming hinged connections between the outer ends of said side plates, bottom plates hinged to said rigid connection and in position to swing upwardly between said side plates, and a tank removably inserted between said arms above said side plates to serve as a cover, substantially as specified.

2. In a folding basket, a suitable folding portion, arms extending upwardly from said folding portion,a yielding connection between said arms, a tank adapted to pass between said arms and serve as a cover and adapted to incase the folding portion when folded, sub- ROBERT HANES MCNAIR. WILLIAM ALEXANDER lilCNilll.

Witnesses:

T. C. MCNAIR, M. HUss. 

